Vegetarianism in African Food cultures

22 November 2018. Africana Flavours 2018, in celebration of the Brussels "week van de smaak" (week of the taste) organized an evening exploring vegetarianism in African food cultures.

This event was organized by The Food Bridge vzw in collaboration with FAAB vzw, the BigPicnic project, O'Marche and GC De Platoo.

Garden egg is an important crop in several African countries
and is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. 
There are two popular types of garden eggs, the green garden egg,
which has a slightly bitter taste, and the milky coloured garden egg. 
It can be eaten raw (with fried ground nuts/ groundnut butter)
or used for sauces.

Vegetarianism (or vegan) is one word that many still think is not synonymous with the African cuisine. 

However, like most trends or lifestyles across the globe, vegetarianism is gradually becoming a part of the African food culture. This is more prevalent though, in diaspora communities and urban areas of Africa. Although some argue that African diet has always been predominantly vegetarian, others are keen to point out that Africans eating plant

Volunteers of The Helping Hand Project,
preparing meals for the homeless and needy.
During each session they provide about 120 meals

based diets in most cultures, is not a choice but a necessity because they lack the means to acquire meat.

• The evening started with a discussion on "how strange is vegetarian (and vegan) diets in the African food culture"? by Jutta Kleber- the BigPicnic Project
• Testimony of an African vegan, by Steve Ngabo
• There was be a presentation of some African recipes by Nancy Kawaya – O’marche and Maureen Duru, The Food Bridge vzw.
• This was be followed by dinner and drinks.

Download the AFRICANA FLAVOURS 2018 newsletter with a number of recipes

The Food Bridge vzw’s projects

• Promoting Food Cultures - Africana Flavours and Food Talks
• Supporting African Entrepreneurship – African Diaspora Projects Initiative 
• Promoting conservation of indigenous food crops and plants Network of Indigenous Food Systems
• Feeding the homeless and vulnerable – The Helping Hand Project